NNN demands Africa’s voice on global financial systems

Patience Makwele

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for a stronger African voice in shaping the international financial system, saying the continent must have a greater say in decisions affecting its development.

Nandi-Ndaitwah made the call in New York on Tuesday at a high-level side event on implementation of the Pact for the Future in Africa, held on the margins of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

She said African countries must take greater ownership of their development while collectively pushing for reforms to the international financial architecture.

“Illicit financial flows still remain a challenge for Namibia and our continent at large, and our collective voice as Africa must be ever stronger in order to accelerate the reform of the international financial architecture,” she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah also called for full African participation in negotiations towards a United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation, saying Africa needs a fair and effective international tax system for sustainable development.

She said Namibia was strengthening domestic resource mobilisation through improved tax governance structures under its Sixth National Development Plan, but national efforts must be matched by reforms to the international financial system.

She further stated that African countries played a key role in the adoption of the Pact for the Future and its two annexes, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations.

Namibia co-facilitated the negotiations that led to the pact’s adoption alongside Germany.

According to Nandi-Ndaitwah, the agreement provides an opportunity for Africa to advance its development priorities while accelerating implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

She noted the more than 90% convergence between the SDGs and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, particularly on peace, sustainability, inclusive growth and digital transformation.

Nandi-Ndaitwah also highlighted Namibia’s National Digital Strategy 2025–2028, launched in July 2025, which seeks to use technology and innovation to drive development and inclusive growth.

The strategy includes measures on cybersecurity and digital trust, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, and the participation of women and youth in the digital economy.

On youth development, Nandi-Ndaitwah pointed to free tertiary education covering tuition and registration fees and the National Youth Fund, established to support young entrepreneurs and tackle youth unemployment.

She said African governments must take responsibility for turning development commitments into tangible improvements for their citizens.

“Our citizens are looking at us, the leaders, to make effective and bold decisions for their prosperity and advancement,” she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said the Pact for the Future provides African countries with additional tools to pursue their development priorities.

“The Pact for the Future gives us additional tools with which we can further achieve our noble aspirations,” she said.